Last week on SmackDown LIVE, Kevin Owens asked for – and received – another opportunity at AJ Styles’ United States Championship, though he had to agree that this would be his final chance at the title as long as The Phenomenal One holds it. KO elected to have Baron Corbin serve as special guest referee, promising The Lone Wolf a future title opportunity.However, the two’s gambit did not pan out, as Shane McMahon arrived to ringside to ensure the officiating was fair. After a furious Corbin walked out, the SmackDown LIVE Commissioner again put on the stripes himself, then counted the pinfall for The Phenomenal One. Having seen his final U.S. Title opportunity go out the window, how will a surely furious Owens react?Perhaps the biggest news coming out of last week’s SmackDown LIVE was the addition of Bobby Roode to Team Blue. The former NXT Champion arrived amid rapturous fanfare from the WWE Universe before defeating Aiden English with his patented Glorious DDT.After the bell, Roode promised that, as a result of his signing, SmackDown LIVE was going from great to glorious. Just how does Roode plan on keeping his momentum going? Find out on SmackDown LIVE, tonight!With Jason Jordan’s departure to Monday Night Raw, Chad Gable had been left wondering what was next for his burgeoning career. SmackDown LIVE General Manager Daniel Bryan had an answer for him, revealing that as part of the deal for Jordan, Raw GM Kurt Angle helped Bryan sign Shelton Benjamin to Team Blue. Furthermore, the former Intercontinental, United States and WWE Tag Team Champion was interested in teaming up with the Olympian.Bryan arranged for the two to have their first match as a tag team tonight on SmackDown LIVE. How will the new pairing of Gable & Benjamin start off their tandem journey?After several weeks away from Team Blue, Dolph Ziggler returned to SmackDown LIVE, though he seemed a little miffed at coming back in a backstage interview. The Showoff also appeared to be more erratic than usual, as the former World Champion claimed that he finally discovered what it takes to become a star in WWE.Ziggler revealed that he was not above singing, dancing, flashy ring robes and bright spotlights. He also promised that he’d show off his newly found star power this week on SmackDown LIVE. Just what exactly does Dolph Ziggler have in mind?The unusual relationship between the hard-hitting Tamina and The Ravishing Russian, Lana, has been an intriguing focal point in the SmackDown LIVE Women’s division in recent weeks. After a few failures as a tag team, Tamina demanded that Lana help her get the SmackDown Women’s Championship.It appears that The Ravishing Russian now has her charge ready to begin her championship journey, promising a “ravishing reign of terror” that will begin tonight. With the devious Lana in her corner, will anyone be able to stop Tamina from reaching her goal?
Please, if you say ‘Because it’s your destiny’, I swear to jeebus I’m going to start drinking.
